“I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.” 1 Timothy 2:12

Reading and interpreting 1 Timothy 2:12 in isolation, we make it say something Paul never intended.q It has a context. It’s about listening and learning. 

Paul brought women into corporate worship (considered a radical step at the time), because in Christ, there is neither “male nor female” (Galatians 3:28-29).  Women served as top leaders in the church. Paul declared Junia as an outstanding among the apostles (Romans 16:7). He invites Priscilla and Aquilla to teach Apollos.  He lists Priscilla’s name first, showing her as the primary leader (Acts 18). 

Paul’s teaches Timothy how to protect the church from false teachings (1:3). He didn’t permit a woman to teach or have authority over men in that congregation, but not because of their gender. Women did not have the same education as men, so Paul’s restriction was meant to protect the church from false teaching. He was also giving women an invitation.

Paul says that the women should “remain silent,” In Paul’s time, silence was afforded to those who could engage in learning. Paul was inviting women out of the kitchen and into the living room where the men were gathering, so they could learn the faith alongside their husbands. The implication is, once these women were more educated in the faith, they could do what Junias, Priscilla and other women were doing: Lead.

Paul took three years to learn the faith before he became a missionary, so he knew the value of careful learning in order to sustain the challenges of the mission field. How many times has someone stepped forward in ministry, but has been unable toPaul took three years to learn the faith before he became a missionary, so he knew the value of careful learning in order to sustain the challenges of the mission field. How many times has someone stepped forward in ministry, but has been unable to sustain their passion?

I Timothy 2:12 urges us all to be quiet. Listen to others tell their stories about their faith. How they came to Christ. How they are experiencing Christ. Learn from those who are mature in the faith. What they have learned from the Scriptures, and what they have learned from their own struggles. By doing so we can grow in Christ.